Watch display stand and support

ABSTRACT

A watch display stand is formed by tiered platforms or shelves which connect to a watch holder. The display stand has a number of pairs of openings located in each shelf. The opening pairs are spaced apart from one another to provide a desired display configuration. The watch holder is formed by a C-shaped support element and an engagement device. The engagement device connects the C-shaped support element to the display stand by the use of a pair of feet that removably engage the openings in the shelves. The display stand permits easy viewing of the watches, and the watch holder can be easily removed and replaced by the sales attendant. The display stand also has a card holder mounted at the front of each shelf, and a mirror located behind the watch holders. A wall attachment allows the display stand to be secured to a wall bracket.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to stands for displaying watches. More particularly, the present invention relates to a watch display stand having a C-shaped watch support which connects to shelves of the display stand.

[0003] 2. Background of the Related Art

[0004] Watches have been displayed for sale in a number of different ways. Usually, however, the watch is either laid flat on a table or shelf, or is placed about a C-shaped watch support element, or watch holder. The watch support element simulates a person's wrist, so that the customer can better envision what the watch would look like when strapped to the customer's own wrist.

[0005] Examples of C-shaped watch holders are shown, for instance, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,181,608 to Herzog; U.S. Pat. No. 4,830,181 to Hartman; U.S. Pat. No. 4,082,183 to Sturm; U.S. Pat. No. 4,005,775 to Crosslen; U.S. Pat. No. 2,925,907 to Grieve; and U.S. Pat. No. 2,253,212 to Rathbun. However, the watch holders involve a complex connection to a box or case, which in turn is placed on a shelf. The sales attendant must remove the watch holder from the box for the customer to better view or try on the watch. It can often be difficult and time-consuming for the attendant to remove several different watch holders at the same time, resulting in boxes being placed all about the display counter. In addition, it is time-consuming for the attendant to replace the watch holder in the box, and to properly place the box back on the shelf.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 6,209,828 to Au shows a watch display stand in which the watch holder has a stand which is free-standing, and is placed on the display shelf. As with the watch boxes, it can be time consuming for the attendant to properly redisplay the watch holder back on the shelf. The watch holder can be inadvertently moved when the attendant is retrieving or replacing other watch holders from the display stand.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a watch display stand which is simple, easy to use, and can display a number of watches in clear manner. It is another object of the invention to provide a watch display stand having a watch holder which is easy to re-display in a proper manner. It is yet another object of the invention to provide a watch display stand having a watch holder which is directly connected to a display shelf.

[0008] In accordance with these and other objects, the invention is a watch display stand primarily formed by tiered platforms or shelves which connect to a watch holder. The display stand has a number of pairs of openings located in each shelf. The opening pairs are spaced apart from one another to provide a desired display configuration. The watch holder is formed by a C-shaped support element and an engagement device. The engagement device connects the C-shaped support element to the display stand by the use of a pair of feet that removably engage the openings in the shelves. The display stand permits easy viewing of the watches, and the watch holder can be easily removed and replaced by the sales attendant. The display stand also has a card holder mounted at the front of each shelf, and a mirror located behind the watch holders. A wall attachment allows the display stand to be secured to a wall bracket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0009]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the watch display stand with a watch holder in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0010]FIG. 2 is a detailed perspective view of the watch holder; and

[0011]FIG. 3 is a detailed perspective view of the card holder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] In describing a preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents that operate in similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.

[0013] Turning to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows the watch display stand 10 of the present invention. The watch display stand 10 is primarily formed by tiered platforms or shelves 12 which connect to a watch holder 20. The display stand 10 has a number of pairs of openings 14 located in each shelf 12. The opening pairs 14 are spaced apart from one another to provide a desired display configuration.

[0014] In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the display stand 10 has three shelves 12, each about 11 inches long, with 5 pairs of openings 14 on each shelf 12. The openings are about 1 inch apart, and each pair of openings is spaced approximately 1.25 inches from each other so that the watches are easy to view, and the attendant can easily remove and replace the various holders 20 without interference from other holders 20. Though the openings 14 are shown arranged in a straight line, the openings can be arranged in any manner, such that the watches can be displayed at various angles to each other. In addition, the display stand 10 need not be tiered, and can have a single platform.

[0015]FIG. 2 shows the watch holder 20 in further detail as having a C-shaped support element 21 and an engagement device 22. The support element 21 retains a watch and the engagement device 22 engages the C-shaped support element 21 to the display stand 10. The engagement device 22 is formed as a single piece having a connecting arm 23, post 24, base 25, and feet 26. The engagement device 22 generally forms a sideways-facing U-shaped element. The connecting arm 23 extends along the entire width of the inward-facing surface of the C-shaped support element 21. The watch holder 20 is preferably made of a rigid plastic or plexiglass, and the connecting arm 23 is heat-sealed to the C-shaped support member 21. Alternatively, however, the connecting arm 23 can be adhered to the support member 21 with an adhesive, or can be made integral with the support member 21.

[0016] The top of the post 24 connects at one end of the connecting arm 23, and extends vertically downward. The post 24 creates sufficient space between the bottom of the C-shaped support element 21 and the base 25 so that a watch can be easily removed and replaced on the C-shaped element 21, and so that the watch holder 20 can be easily removed and replaced on the display stand 10. In the preferred embodiment, the post 24 separates the bottom of the support element 21 and the base 25 by approximately 1 cm. The post 24 is shown as being substantially orthogonal to the connecting arm 23, but can be at any angle to achieve a desired display configuration.

[0017] The base 25 is formed at the bottom of the post 24. The base 25 extends beneath the C-shaped support element 21, and is longer than the width of the support element 21 to provide greater support to the holder 20. Two round feet 26 are frictionally connected to the base 25, and extend downwardly to selectively engage respective openings 14 in the platforms 12 of the display stand 10.

[0018] Each of the watch holders 20 preferably have the same size feet 26 and can be fitted to any of the openings 14. However, the feet 26 and openings 14 can have different sizes, so that only certain watch holders 20 can be displayed at certain areas on the platforms 12. In addition, it should be recognized that the base 25 can have any suitable number of feet 26, including only a single foot.

[0019] It should be further appreciated that the engagement device 22 need not have a U-shape, or a base 25. Instead, a foot 26 can be connected to the bottom of the post 24. Alternatively, the feet 26 can be connected to the side of the post 24 so that the watch holder 20 can be engaged to a vertical wall, such as the vertical face 15 of the shelf 12, or can be displayed in a horizontal manner, or the like. And, the post 24 can be connected directly to the C-shaped support element 21, without the use of a connecting arm 23.

[0020] Furthermore, the base 25 can be arranged at any position with respect to the post 24 and C-shaped support element 21. For instance, the base 25 can extend in the same direction as the support element 21, so as to provide support against the watch holder 20 moving forward and backward. The base 25 can have four feet 26 forming an X-shape, to provide greater stability. The preferred embodiment shown in the figures, however, provides sufficient stability to the watch holder 20, while enabling the watch holder 20 to be easily removed from the display stand 10. The base 25 is about 3.2 cm in length, whereas the width of the support element 21 is about 1.7 cm.

[0021] The connecting arm 23 and post 24 optionally have an elongated rounded projection which extends along the center of those elements. The projection increases the strength and stability of the connecting arm 23 and the post 24.

[0022] The C-shaped watch support element 21 has rounded ridges 27 along its outward-facing surface. The ridges 27 better retain the watch, and prevent the watch from slipping or moving with respect to the support element 21. The watch holder 20 is preferably made of a clear plastic which is sufficiently rigid to support a watch, but is somewhat flexible to permit easy removal and replacement of a watch. The watch holder 20 is clear so as not to obstruct viewing of the watch, and so that watch holder 20 which do not have a watch attached to them do not obstruction viewing of other watches.

[0023] The watch holder 20 allows clear viewing of the watches, which can be arranged in any desired configuration. The watch holders 20 can be easily removed from the display stand 10 by the sales attendant pulling up on the C-shaped support element 21, or at the base 25 and post 24. When the watch is to be replaced in the display stand 10, the watch holder 20 can be positioned in any available pair of openings 14, ensuring that proper display is made of all watches. The feet 26 form a friction fit with the openings 14 to allow the watch holder 20 to be removably secured to the display stand 10. The attendant can press down on the top of the base 25, so that the feet 26 fully engage the openings 14.

[0024] When the watch holder 20 is fitted to the lower platforms 12 of the display stand 10, the top of the watch holder 20 extends slightly above the next highest platform 12. Thus, the tiered platforms enable all the watches to be viewed without obstruction from the other watches, while maximizing the number of watches displayed in a limited area.

[0025] As further shown in FIG. 1, an upright card holder 30 is positioned at the front center of each display shelf 12. FIG. 3 shows the card holder 30 in greater detail. The card holder 30 essentially has a base 31 portion and an upright portion 32. The upright portion has a reverse bend 33 which forms an elongated slot 34. A card can be placed within the elongated slot 34 to provide information about the watches being displayed. The card holder 30 is preferably adhered to the shelf platform 12 along the base 31.

[0026] Returning to FIG. 1, a mirror is preferably adhered to the back wall 15 of each step to further enhance the viewing of the watches. In addition, a slat wall attachment 42 is mounted to the display stand 10 so that the display stand 10 can be mounted to a wall. An elongated plastic strip 40 is adhered to the back of the display stand 10. The slat wall attachment 42 is adhered to the plastic strip 40.

[0027] The slat wall attachment 42 has a front vertical leg, a horizontal midsection, and rear vertical leg. The front vertical leg is adhered to the front of the plastic strip 40. The rear vertical leg and part of the horizontal mid-section are received in a corresponding opening in a wall bracket (not shown) mounted to a wall in accordance with conventional means. For instance, the wall bracket can slide into a slot or engaging an opening by angling the holder 10. Thus, the display stand 10 can either be placed on a flat surface, such as a table, or can be mounted to a wall. The front of the display stand preferably has a vertical face, to retain information. For instance, a label having product information or manufacturer information can be pasted or otherwise secured to the front face of the display stand.

[0028] The display stand 10 is constructed with clear plexiglass for each platform 12, and has an open bottom. Accordingly, multiple the display stands 10 can be positioned above or around each other, and light will be able to pass through one stand 10 to another stand 10 located below it. This maximizes store lighting and reduces the need for special or additional lighting. The display stand 10 can be made in any desired width and length. Thus, for instance, a single display stand 10 can be configured to cover an entire wall, giving the illusion that the watches are floating. Though the display stand 10 is preferably used for displaying watches, any suitable product can be displayed.

[0029] The foregoing description and drawings should be considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. The invention may be configured in a variety of shapes and sizes and is not intended to be limited by the preferred embodiment. Numerous applications of the invention will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is not desired to limit the invention to the specific examples disclosed or the exact construction and operation shown and described. Rather, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

We claim:
 1. A display stand for displaying a product, the display stand comprising a platform having at least one opening, a product holder having at least one projection for removably engaging the at least one opening, and a card holder mounted to said platform for receiving a card having information about the product.
 2. The display stand of claim 1, wherein the product is a watch.
 3. The display stand of claim 1, wherein said product holder comprises a support element for retaining the product, and an engagement device connected to the support element and the at least one projection.
 4. The display stand of claim 3, wherein the support element has a C-shape for retaining a watch, and the engagement device includes a connecting arm connected to the support element, a post connected to the connecting arm, and a base connected to the post, the base having the at least one projection.
 5. The display stand of claim 4, wherein the C-shaped support element has rounded ridges projecting from an outward-facing surface to retain the watch.
 6. The display stand of claim 1, further comprising a mirror positioned behind said product holder.
 7. The display stand of claim 1, further comprising a wall securing device for wall-mounting the display stand.
 8. The display stand of claim 1, wherein said card holder has a base mounted to said platform and an upright portion having a reverse bend forming a slot therebetween, wherein the slot receives the card.
 9. A watch display stand for displaying a plurality of watches, the watch display stand comprising: a plurality of tiered platforms; a plurality of pairs of openings located in each of the tiered platforms; a C-shaped support element for retaining a watch; a substantially horizontal connecting arm engaging said C-shaped support element; a downwardly extending post connected to said connecting arm; a substantially horizontal base connected to said downwardly extending post; and, two projections extending downwardly from said substantially horizontal base, wherein said two projections removably engage one of the plurality of pairs of openings to removably connect said C-shaped support element to one of said plurality of tiered platforms.
 10. The watch display stand of claim 9, further comprising a card holder mounted to at least one of said plurality of tiered platforms, said card holder retaining a card having information about the watch.
 11. The display stand of claim 10, wherein said card holder has a base mounted to said platform and an upright portion having a reverse bend forming a slot therebetween, wherein the slot receives the card.
 12. The display stand of claim 9, wherein the C-shaped support element has rounded ridges projecting from an outward-facing surface to retain the watch.
 13. The display stand of claim 9, further comprising a mirror positioned behind said C-shaped support element.
 14. The display stand of claim 9, further comprising a wall securing device for wall-mounting the display stand. 